Coal chute



E. E. NEAL.

COAL CHUTE.

APPLICATION FILED MAR. 23, 92|- Patented July 25, 1922.

COAL CHUTE.

Lei-23,872.

Application filed March 23, 1921.

To all lwhom t may concern.'

Be it known that l, ENooH E. NEAL, a citizen of the United States, residing at Malden, in the county of Middlesex and State oi Massachusetts, have invented new and useful improvements in Coal Chutes, of which the Yfollowing is a specification.

This invention relates to improvements in coal chutes and the like.

The object of the invention is to so construct the sections comprising a telescoping coal chute that in the event of more than one section being required, two or more may be easily and quickly secured together to form a chute of the length required.

Another object of the invention is to provide a novel mechanism for securing the sections oil the coal chute together, said mechanism when not in use being automatically withdrawn within a tubular casing located beneath one end of said sections where it is concealed from view and safe from damage resulting from hard usage.

The invention consists in the combination and arrangement of parts set forth in the following specication and particularly pointed out in the claims thereof.

Referring to the drawings:

Figure 1 represents a plan view of' a portion of two sec-tions constituting a telescoping coal chute, said sections being secured together in accordance with my invention.

Fig. 2 elevation taken on the line 2 2 of Fig. 1 and looking toward the right in said ligure.

F 3 is a detail, sectional elevation illuctrating a portion of the mechanism by means of which the sections of the coal chute are secured together.

Fig. at is an end elevation of the mechanism illustrated in Fig. 3 viewed from the right of said figure.

Fig. 5 is a detail, vertical section taken` on the line 5 5 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 6 is an end elevation similar to Fig. l illustrating a modified embodiment of my invention. f

Fig. 7 is a detail section taken on the line 7 7 of Fig. 6.

Like numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

ln the drawings, A and B represent a pair of interchangeable sections comprising a telescoping coal chute C, said sections being identical in construction and adapted to fit closely one within the other when completely Specification of Letters Patent.

is a transverse section partly in latcnted July 25, 1922.

serial No. 454,825.

telescoped. The sections A and B each comprise a runway constructed of sheet metal having a bottom 6 and sides 7 preferably perpendicular to said bottom. The bottom 6 is widest at the end L and gradually decreases in width toward the opposite end b, while the sides 7 are highest at the end a and also gradually decrease in height from said end toward rthe end Z). The sides 7 of eachl section are reinforced by angle irons S'which extend the length of each section, a downwardly projecting flange 9 being riveted to the outer surface of each side 7 adj acent to the upper edge thereof, and another fiange 10 projects inwardly from said side.

The opposite ends of each section A and B are strengthened by reinforcing members 11 and 12, the member 11 being secured at the end a while the member 12 is secured at the end b. The member 11 extends across the under side of the bottom 6 and has upwardly projecting arms 13 to which the sides 7 are secured. The upper ends of the arms 13 project inwardly at 14 and are secured to the inwardly projecting flanges 10 of the angle irons 8 and at one side of each section the projections 14 are irtended short distance beyond the inner edge of the inwardly projecting flange 10 and are then bent downwardly at 15 to form a stop for the purpose Vof holding one of the angle irons 3 of one section beneath the corresponding angle iron 8 of the other section when said sections are secured together s illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2.

As the sections A and B are moved one upon the other Vto vary the overall length of the chute C the sides 7 upon the upper side olf Fifi' or at the left hand side of Fig. 2 are alu s held in the same relative position to each other. The distance between the sides 7 at the bottom oi Fig. 1 or at the right hand side of Fig. 2, however, varies as the section B is moved within the section A. The mechanism for securing the lastl mentioned sides together is as followszFSecured upon the underside 'of the reinforcing member 11 in any desired manner, but preferably by* being welded thereto, is a tube 16 which extends approximately the width of the section at the wide end thereof. One end of the tube 16 is closed by a suitable plug 17, while a sleeve 18 is secured within the tube 16 adjacent toy its other end. A. flexible member. preferably a chain 19, is normally located within the tube 16 and is approximately the length of said tube. To the inner end of the chain 19 a circular plate 2O constituting a spring seat is attached in any suitable manner, while a hook 21 is attached to the outer extremity of said chain.

Surrounding the chain 19 within the tube 16 is a spring 22, one end ot which rests against the spring seat 2O and the other end against the inner end of the sleeve 18. The extent to which the chain 19 may be withdrawn from within the tube 16 is limited by a link 23 constituting a stop which is of sutlicient size to be prevented from passing through an opening 24 provided at the inner end ot the sleeve 18. r-rnother link 25 which is the outer linlr of the chain 19 and which is of similar size to the link 23 limits the extent to which the hook 21 may be drawn. into the tube 16 by the spring 22, the position of said hook at this time being such that the outer end thereof may be engaged by the `tinger t-ips and pulled outwardly. A slot 26 is provided at the right hand end of the tube 16, Fig. 2, and also extends through one side of the sleeve 18 and said slot is adapted to receive the various links comprising the chain 19 when said chain is withdrawn from the tube 16 as illustrated in said Fig. 2, and when said chain is in said position it is prevented from being` again drawn into the tube 16 by the spring 22 or 'from being pulled still turther outwardly 'rom said tube. The hook 21 is adapted to be secured to the flange 10 as illustrated in Fig. 2. he material coniprising the bottom 6 of each section may be bent downwardly at the wide end oi said section and extended in front of and beneath the tube 16 at 2'.7 where it may be secured in any desired manner.

The general. operation of my improved coal chute is as ollowsz-lVhen it is found that one of the sections A or B is not long enough to deliver the coal to the point desired, two or more of the sections are placed together as illustrated in Figs. 1 and 2. The chute C is then placed in an inclined position and the highest end thereof supported in any desirable manner. In this position the end ol? the section B will Contact with the bottom 6 of the section A, and at one side the angle iron S of the section B is located beneath the angle iron 8 ot' the section A with the upper surface oit the lower angle iron contacting with the undereorner of. the upper angle iron at the left hand extremity of the section A, Fig. 1. In this position the projection 15 will prevent the sides 7 at the left hand side of Fig. 2 from moving further apart.

The chain 19 which has up to this time been located entirely within the tube 16 is now pulled outwardly therefrom by pinching the hook 21 between the {ingers and Lezama pullingl outwardly thereon. The chain 19 is pulled outwardly a suiticient distance for the hook 21 to be attached to the Harigey 10 as illustrated in F ig. 2 and in this Josition the link of the chain 19 which aligns with the slot 26 at the end of the tube 16 is inserted within said slot. As long as the chain remains within the slot 26, said chain cannot be pulled any further outwardly, nor can the spring 22 within the tube 16 pull said chain inwardly. rThe sides T oi the sections Si and B at the right hand side of Fig. 2 are then securely fastened together. When the hooi; 21 is removed from the flange 10 and the chain 19 is removed from the slot the spring 22 will automatically draw said chain into 'the tube 16 and again assume a position as illustrated in Fig. 3. The device as illustrated and described is extremely simple and easy to operate and when the sections comprisingthe chute are not secured together and the chain is located in the position illustrated in Fig. 3 it is entirely concealed and cannot be dainaged by any hard usage that it may receive.

in Figures 6 and i have illustrated a modified embodiment of my invention in whichthe tube 16 has a plate 28 securely fastened therein in any suitable manner and said plate constitutes a partition which extends transversely oit said tube within the interior thereoi a short distance from the open end. The plate 2S is provided with a .slot 29 formed therein which is adapted to receive the links oit the chain 19 in a manner siinilal to the slot 26 previously described. )i sleeve '30 is located within the tube 16 a short distance from the open end ther-cot and said sleeve is provided for the purpoe et limiting the extent to which the chain 19 may be withdrawn from the tube or drawn into said tube.

lihile the sections of the coal chute illustrated and described herein are strengthened by angie irons extending along their upper edges, said anglo irons bcingr utilized in securing the sections together, it is evident that the sections may be provided with other types of [langes whit-h may ceo-operate equally well in securing the sections together and also in rein'fior 'ng said sect-ions as, lor example, by providing the well known rolled edge. Furthermore while l have il- ,lustrated and described this invention in connection with a coal chute, it is evident that the mechanism could be utilized in connection with other devices all of which may :tall with the scope oli the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A. device of the character described having. in combination, a plurality ot chute sections, a tube tast to the underside of one ol said sections and provided with a slot at one end thereof"7 a flexible member normally located Within said tube, a portion thereof being adapted to be. Withdrawn therefrom and fastened Within said slot,.

means located at the outer end of said flexible member adapted tovbe attached to another of said sections and means to pull said flexible member into said tube When the same is released from said last-mentioned section and removed fromsaid slot.

'2. A device of the character described having, in combination, a plurality of chute sections, a tube fast to the underside of one:

of said sections and provided with a slot at one end thereof, a sleeve located Within from said last-mentioned section and removed from said slot.

3. A device of they character described having, in combination, aplurality of chute sections, a tube fast to the underside of one of said sections and provided with a slot at one end thereof,y asleeve. located Within said tube at one end thereof, a flexible mem ber normally located Within said tube and embodying therein means adapted to contact with said sleeve to limit the extent to which said flexible member may be Withdrawn from said tube, the portion of said flexible member projecting from said tube extending through said slot andvbeing fastened therein, means to attachv the outer end of said flexible member to another of said sections and means to pull said flexible member into said tube when said flexible niember is released from said last-mentioned section and removed from said slot, said flexible member also embodying therein means adapted to contact with said sleeve to limit the extent to which said flexible member may be drawn into said tube.

A. A device of the character described having, in combination, a plurality of chute sections, a tube fast to the underside of one of said sections and provided vvith a slot at one end thereof, a sleeve located Within said tube at one end thereof, a chain normally located Within said tube and embodying therein a link adapted to cont-act With said extent to which said chain may be Withdrawn from said tube, the portion of said chain projecting from said tube extending through said slot and being fassleeve to limit the tened therein, means. to attach the outer end of said chain to another of said sectionsand means to pull said chain into said tube When Said chain is released from said last-mentioned section kand removed from said slot.

5. A device of the character described having, in combination, a plurality of chute sections, a tube fast to the underside of one of said lsections and provided with a slot at one end thereof, a sleeve located Within said tube at one end thereof, a chain normally located Within said tube and embodying therein a link adapted to contact with said sleeve to limit the extent to which said chain may be Withdrawn from said tube, the portion of said chain projecting from said tube extending through saidslot and being fastened therein, mea-neto, attach the outer end of said chain to another of said sections and means to pull said chain into said tube When said chain is released from said last-mentioned section and removed from said slot, ,said chain also embodying therein a link adapted to Contact with said sleeve to limit the extent to which said chain may be drawn into said tube.

6. A device of the character described having, in combination, a. plurality of chute sections, a tube fast tothe underside of one of said sections and provided with al slot at one end thereof, a sleeve located Within said tube at one end thereof, a chain normally located Within said tube and embodying therein a link adapted to contact with said sleeve to limitthe extent to Which said chain may be withdrawn from said tube, the portion of said chainy projecting from said tube extending through said slot and being fastened therein, means to attach the outer end of said chain to another of said sections and a spring surrounding said chain Within said tube and adapted to pull said chain into said tube when said chain is released from said `last-mentioned section and removed from said slot, said chain also embodying therein a link adapted to contact With said sleeve to limit the extent to which said chain may be drawn into said tube.

7. A-chute embodying therein a plurality of interchangeable sections slidable one upon the other, each of said sections embodying therein a flange extending longitudinally thereof upon each side thereof, means to hold the flange at one side of one of said sections beneath the corresponding flange of the other of said sections and thereby fasten said sections together at one side thereof and flexible means secured to one end of the lower of said sections and adapted to be attached to the upper of said sections and thereby fasten said sections together upon t-he other side thereof.

8. A chute embodying therein a plurality of interchangeable sections slidable one upon the other, each of said sections embor-lying` therein angle irons extending longitudinally thereof upon each kside thereof, means to hold an angle iron at one side of one of said sections beneath the corresponding angle iron of the other of said sections and thereby fasten said sections together at one side thereof and flexible means secured to one end of the lower of said sections and adapted to be attached to the upper of said sections and thereby fasten said sections together upon the other side thereof.

9. A. chute embodying therein a plurality of interchangeable sections slidable one upon the other, each of said sections embodying therein angle irons extending longitudinally thereof upon each side thereof, means to hold an angleviron at one side of one of said sections beneath the corresponding angle iron of the other of said sections and thereby fasten said sections together at one side thereof, a tube fast to the end of said sections and provided with a slot at one end thereof, a flexible member normally located in said tube adapted to be pulled therefrom, inserted Within said slot and attached to the upper of said sections and means to pull said flexible member into said tube when said member is released from said last-mentioned section and removed from said slot.

l0. A chute embodying therein a plurality of interchangeable sections slidable one upon the other, each of said sections em* bodying therein angle irons extending longitudinally thereof upon each side thereof, a reinforcing member fast to one end of each of said sections and having an arm formed integral therewith adapted to hold an angle iron located at one side of one of said sections beneath the corresponding angle iron of the other of said sections and thereby fasten said sections together at one side thereof, a tube fast to the underside of said reinforcing member and provided with a slot at one end thereof, a flexible member normally located in said tube adapted to be pulled therefrom, inserted Within said slot and attached to the upper of said sections and means to pull said flexible member into said tube when said member is released from said last-mentioned section and removed from said slot.

l1. A chute embodying therein a plurality of interchangeable sections slidable one upon the other, each of said sections embodying therein angle irons extending longitudinally thereof upon each side thereof, a re* inforcing member fast to one end of each of said sections and having an arm formed integral therewith adapted to hold an angle iron located at one side of one of said sections beneath the corresponding anglo iron of the other of said sect-ions and thereby fasten said sections together at one side thereof, a tube fast to the underside of said reinforcing member and provided with a slot at one end thereof, a chain normally located Within said tube, a portionthereof being adapted to be removed therefrom and one of the linls thereof inserted within said slot and secured thereby, means to attach said' chain to the upper of said sections and means to pull said chain into said tube when said chain is released from said last-mentioned section and removed from said slot.

l2. A chute embodying therein a plurality of interchangeable sections slidable one upon the other, each of said sections embodying therein angle irons extending longitudinally thereof upon each side thereof, a reinforcing member fast to one end of each of said sections and having an arm formed integral therewith adapted to hold an angle iron locatedat one side of one of said sections beneath the corresponding angle iron of the other of said sections and thereby fasten said sections together at one side thereof, a tube fast to the underside of said reinforcing member and provided with a slot at one end thereof, a sleeve located Within said tube at one end thereof, a chain normally located within said tube, a portion thereof being adapted to be removed therefrom and one of the links thereof inserted Within said slot and secured thereby, means to attach said chain to the upper of said sections and a spring surrounding said chain Within said tube and adapted to pull said chain into said tube when said chain is released from said last-mentioned section and the link thereof removed from said slot.

ln testimony whereof l have hereunto set my hand in presence of two subscribing witnesses.

ENOCH E. NEAL.

lVitnesses FRANKLIN E. LOW, KATHRYN M. JOYCE. 

